Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (General Division) for distinguished service to the mental health sector, to the LBGTQIA+ community, and to not-for-profit organisations.
Ms Harman is one of Australia’s most trusted and influential figures in mental health, and has served as Beyond Blue CEO since 2014.
Accepting her King’s Birthday honour, Ms Harman said: “I believe passionately in doing better for people and communities affected by mental health issues and suicide. Like for most of us, it’s personal.”
“To be recognised alongside leaders in their field for their positive contribution to humanity is a great honour and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given,” Ms Harman said.
“Over the years, I’ve learned so much from so many exceptional people, especially those with lived and living experience of mental health issues and suicidality.
“And so for me, this is at once an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come as a nation in addressing mental health issues and suicidality, and how much further we have to go.”
Beyond Blue Chair The Hon Linda Dessau AC CVO said: “Georgie is a tireless advocate for the cause and someone whose commitment, experience and integrity I’ve long admired. I am delighted that her contribution has been recognised in this way.”
Ms Harman steered Beyond Blue as it supported Australia’s mental health and wellbeing through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Saturday bushfires and other disasters.
She has driven significant internal change, too, expanding Beyond Blue’s services and supports, strengthening its connection to the community, and harnessing digital innovation.
She is Deputy Chair of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs and serves on the Board of mentoring organisation, Kilfinan Australia. She is a patron of Out for Australia – an organisation that supports young LGBTIQA+ professionals.
Before taking up the position at Beyond Blue, Georgie had broad-ranging leadership, policy and service delivery experience in the community, public and private sectors.
She helped set up the National Mental Health Commission, where she was Deputy CEO, providing independent advice to government on reform and system performance.
From 2006-2012, Georgie was a senior executive at the Commonwealth Department of Health, with responsibility for mental health, suicide prevention, substance misuse, cancer and chronic disease.
She also spearheaded the early strategy and development of legislation to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in Australia – a world first.
Georgie has also led national reforms to lift Australia’s organ and tissue donation rates and worked in the HIV/AIDS sector in Australia and the UK.
Beyond Blue Support Service: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au/getsupport
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